Induction of interleukin-12 and gamma interferon requires tumor necrosis factor alpha for protective T1-cell-mediated immunity to pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection

The development of T1-cell-mediated immunity is required to clear a pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection. The objective of these studies was to determine the mechanism by which tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) augments the development of pulmonary T1 immunity to C. neoformans infection. TNF-alpha expression was detected in lavage sample cells at days 2, 3, and 7 following C. neoformans infection. The numbers of CFU in the lung were not different between control and anti-TNF-alpha-treated mice at any time point examined during the afferent phase of the response (days 0 to 7). However, neutralization of TNF-alpha prevented the initiation of pulmonary clearance during the efferent phase of the response (day 14). Administration of anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody (day 0) diminished the lung levels of TNF-alpha, interleukin-12 (IL-12), and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) induced by C. neoformans at day 7 postinfection. Neutralization of TNF-alpha (day 0) also altered the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the lung-associated lymph nodes at day 7 following C. neoformans infection. Anti-TNF-alpha-treated mice developed a pulmonary eosinophilia at day 14 postinfection. Consistent with the pulmonary eosinophilia, anti-TNF-alpha-treated mice exhibited elevated serum immunoglobulin E and inhibition of the anticryptococcal delayed-type hypersensitivity response, indicating a shift toward a T2 response. Neutralization of IL-12 also prevented lung leukocyte production of IFN-gamma in response to the infection. These findings demonstrate that afferent-phase TNF-alpha production is essential for the induction of IL-12 and IFN-gamma and neutralization or early TNF-alpha results in a T2 shift of the T1/T2 balance of antifungal immunity.